drum out
C1-C2 / Low frequencyFormal, journalistic, historical. Often used in news reporting, historical accounts, and discussions of organisational discipline.
Definition
Meaning
To expel, dismiss, or force someone to leave an organization, group, or position, often in a formal, public, and dishonourable manner, as if driven out by the beat of a drum.
To remove someone from a role, membership, or community due to misconduct, incompetence, or for bringing disrepute, typically after a process of condemnation or as a result of collective pressure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a formal, often ceremonial or public act of expulsion. Carries a strong connotation of disgrace and shame for the expelled party. The imagery is military/historical, suggesting a public dismissal accompanied by the 'drumming' sound that would signal disgrace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties with minimal difference in meaning. Slightly more common in historical/military contexts in BrE, but the figurative use is equally understood.
Connotations
Identical connotations of public disgrace and formal expulsion.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but perhaps marginally more likely to appear in UK broadsheet journalism concerning political or institutional scandals.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] drum [Object] out (of [Organisation])[Subject] be drummed out (of [Organisation]) (for [Reason])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be given the drum (out) - related idiom suggesting being summarily dismissed.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'The CEO was drummed out by the board after the fraud scandal.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/sociological texts discussing group discipline.
Everyday
Very rare. More likely in news consumption.
Technical
Not used in technical fields. Reserved for disciplinary contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The officer was drummed out of the regiment for cowardice.
- The members voted to drum him out of the society.
American English
- The senator was drummed out of office after the ethics violation.
- They threatened to drum the corrupt official out of the party.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- N/A
- N/A
- The dishonest banker was drummed out of the company.
- He was drummed out of the club for not following the rules.
- Following the leaked memos, the minister was summarily drummed out of the cabinet.
- The traditional ceremony involved drumming out a member who had betrayed the guild's secrets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier being **drummed out** of the regiment to the beat of a slow, shameful drum roll, marching past his former comrades who turn their backs.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL REJECTION IS A SHAMEFUL PARADE / DISMISSAL IS A PUBLIC RITUAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите буквально как 'выбивать барабанную дробь'. Используйте 'изгнать с позором', 'выгнать', 'исключить (публично)'.
- Не смешивайте с 'drum up' (привлекать, собирать).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for friendly or voluntary departure. *'He drummed out of the meeting early.' (Incorrect).
- Using the wrong preposition. *'He was drummed out from the club.' (Should be 'out of').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'drum out' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal idiom used primarily in journalistic or historical contexts to describe a disgraceful expulsion.
No, it always implies a forced, involuntary expulsion, often as a punishment.
It originates from the historical military practice of dismissing a soldier in disgrace. The ceremony would involve the regiment forming up and the disgraced soldier being marched past them to the beat of a drum, often with his uniform stripped of insignia.
'Fire' is neutral and common, focusing on the act of termination. 'Drum out' is figurative, formal, and emphasises the public shame and ceremonial aspect of the dismissal, implying a deeper disgrace.